13 Best Substitutes for Apricot Preserves
The best substitute for apricot preserves is peach jam, lemon curd, nectarine preserves, plum preserves, cherry preserves, apple jelly, ginger jelly, canned fruits, fresh fruits, duck sauce, and honey.
These substitutes are perfect for those who want the flavor of apricots without having to pay a high price or search far and wide for them. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
13 Best Substitutes for Apricot Preserves
Let’s get right into it, the 10 best alternatives for apricot preserves are:
Peach Jam
This is a very close one in terms of flavor, and peaches are much more common and easier to find.
Peach preserves will allow you to get that same sweet and tart flavor in your dish without having to go out of your way.
Lemon Curd
Another great option to use as an alternative is lemon curd. This will give your dish a tart and tangy flavor that is reminiscent of apricots.
Plus, it is very easy to find. You can add a bit of honey to sweeten it up!
Nectarine Preserves
Another great option that is similar in taste to apricots. Nectarine preserves will give you that tart and sweet flavor that you are looking for. Sure, it will differ but it will still be a great Substitute for Apricot Preserves.
Ginger Jelly
Ginger jelly is a fantastic preserve to use if you want to add a little bit of spice to your dish. It can be used in sweet or savory dishes and will give it a nice kick.
It can be used in combination with other apricot preserves alternatives or a bit of honey to balance the spiciness.
Plum Preserves
Plum preserves are another fantastic option, and they are a little bit more tart than the other two options.
This will give your dish a different flavor, but it will still be delicious.
Apple Jelly
Apple jelly has a nice tart taste that can be a nice alternative to apricot jam and preserves. It can be easily used in baking. If you need a little bit more sweetness, add honey.
Cherry Preserves
Cherry preserves are another great classic fruit preserve that goes well with everything. It will serve well as a Substitute for Apricot Preserves in any recipe.
Sure, the taste is more tart than sweet, but it’s still a delicious somewhat similar when baked with, and has the same texture.
Blueberry Preserves
Blueberry preserves are a great substitute for Apricot Preserves because they have a similar sweetness and consistency.
This is one of the options where flavor might be notably different and the color too of course.
Canned Fruit
Canned fruit is a great Substitute for Apricot Preserves because it has the same sweetness and texture.
You can use any type of canned fruit that you like, but make sure to drain the fruit before using it.
Duck Sauce
Quite surprisingly, another contender is duck sauce. It has a similar sweetness and consistency as apricot preserves.
It can be used as a substitute for Apricot Preserves in many recipes
Applesauce
Tangy and similar in consistency, applesauce is a great Substitute for Apricot Preserves. It might change the flavor of your dish slightly, but it will still be delicious and you can balance the sourness with honey.
Honey & Lemon
If everything else fails, there is always honey. By itself, it is too sweet but when you add some lemon juice, it balances out perfectly.
Fresh Fruits
If you have fresh apricots, peaches, nectarines (or other fresh fruit) you can always make your own Substitute for Apricot Preserves. Simply simmer the fruit in sugar and water until it becomes a thick consistency.
You can also add some spices like cinnamon, cloves or nutmeg to give it more flavor.
In case you are baking, it is even easier – just add the fruit with honey, and you are done!
There you have it, thirteen replacements for apricot preserves that are sure to please. Whether you’re looking for something similar in taste or something completely different, there’s an option here for everyone.
Substitute For Apricot Preserves In Meatloaf
When it comes to meatloaf, apricot preserves add a lovely sweetness and moistness. If you don’t have any on hand (or can’t find them in the store), there are plenty of substitutes that will work just as well.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Apple sauce: this is a great pick as it will provide you with a similar sweetness.
- Peach preserves: if you want to change things up a bit, peach preserves are a great option.
- Plum jam: for a slightly tart flavor, plum jam is an excellent substitute.
- Grape jelly: this may seem like an odd choice, but grape jelly actually works really well in meatloaf.
Substitutes for Apricot Preserves in Recipes
Need to cook with apricot preserve but do not have it? That’s not a huge problem. there are always some alternatives that you can use that will taste the same or maybe even better.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Apple sauce: this is a great pick as it will provide you with a similar sweetness.
- Peach preserves: if you want to change things up a bit, peach preserves are a great option.
- Plum jam: for a slightly tart flavor, plum jam is an excellent substitute.
What you are looking for is the fruity tardiness. Also, the sweet and sour combination that apricot brings.
Summary
Hopefully, by now, you picked your best substitute for apricot preserves. As written above, some of the best picks are apple sauce, peach preserves, plum jam, and grape jelly.
So, don’t hesitate to give them a try the next time you’re in a pinch! And if you have any other substitutes for apricot preserves that you love, please share them with us in the comments below. We would love to hear from you!
